hitchings



Aug. 25, 1925. 1,551,487

j c. E. HITCHINGS PROPELLING MECHANISM Filed April 27, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 snow-1H0;

Aug. 25, 1925.

C. E. HITCHINGS PROPELLING MECHANISM Filed April 27, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 wy mw T all who-m it may concern Patented Aug. 25, 1925 UNITED" STATES CHARLES 'E. HITCI-IINGS, or BRADENTOWN, FLORIDA.

PRO'PELLING MECHANISM.

Application filed April 2?, 1925. Serial No. 26,244.

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. HITCH- INGS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bradento-wn, in the county of Manatee and State of Florida, have invented new and useful Improvements in Propelling Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention contemplates the provision of a propelling mechanism for boats, including propeller blades arranged in pairs at each side of the boat and always maintained perpendicular, the blades of one pair at each side being down when the other adjacent pair is up, thus providing for a well balanced arrangement and an almost continuous pull While the mechanism is in operation.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction,

' combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein: I

Figure 1 is a plan view showing the invention associated with a boat.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the boat showing the mechanism mounted thereon.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken online 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a View of one pair of propeller blades.

Figure 5 is a'fragmentary view of one of the crank shafts.

Referring to the drawings in detail, A indicates generally a boat of any well known construction in which is arranged a motor B of anysuitable type.

Arranged transversely of the board and journalled in suitable bearings thereon is a pair of spaced parallel shafts 10 and 11 respectively which rotate in unison, the shafts being connected by an endless: chain 12 which is trained over suitable sprockets mounted on said shafts as clearly shown in Figure 1. The shaft 10 is driven from the motor B, and for which purpose the motor shaft is provided with a small bevelled gear 13 which meshes with-a similar gear 14 fixed upon the shaft 10. Motion from this shaft is then transmitted to the shaft 11, by means of the endless-chain above referred to. Each shaft projects beyond the sides of the boat, and each end supports crank arms 15 and 16 respectively, the latter being comparatively long as illustrated in Figure 5. The crank portion for the arm 15 is'indicated at 17, while the crank portion for the arm 16 is indicated at 18. By reason of this construction, it is possible to mount two pairs of propeller blades at each side of the'boat, the crank portions of the respective arms at each side of both being utilized for this purpose. In other words, the paddle blades indicated at 19 are used in pairs, and each pair is con-. nected by a rod'or the like 20 which supports bearings 21 as clearly shown in Figure 4. The bearings 21 of one pair of pro peller blades receive the corresponding crank portions 17 of the adjacent arms 15 at each side of the boat, while the other pair of propeller blades are similarly associated with the crank portions 18, it will be manifested that the propeller blades are always mounted perpendicularly and when the shafts 10 and 11 are rotating the propeller blades are operated with a step by step motion. In other words,one pair of blades at each side of the boat moves down in the water while the other pair at the same 7 side of the boat are being moved upwardly,

the construction providing for a well balanced arrangement, and at the same timeproviding for a more or less continuous pull through the water. Consequently, the boat can be operated wlth a minimum consumption of fuel with the development of reasonably high speed.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit. myself to what is'herein shown and described, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A propeller mechanism for boats comprising spaced parallel shafts arranged transversely of the boat, means for rotating said shafts simultaneously, spaced pairs of propeller blades supported by the adjacent ends of said shafts at each side of the boat, and always maintained perpendicularly, said blades in pairs alternately moving in and out of the water to provide "for a continuous pull.

2. A propeller mechanism for boats comprising spaced parallel shafts journalled transversely of the boat, means for rotating said shafts simultaneously, spaced parallel arms supported by each end of each shaft, a crank portion forinin part of each arm, with the crank portions of the adjacent arms arranged in different horizontal planes, spaced pairs of propeller blades arranged at each side of the boat, a rod connecting the blades of each pair, the hall of each pair being ournalled on the crank portions of the respective arms, whereby said blades in pairs alternately move in and out of the Water to provide for a continuous pull.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

emirates 11 nrronrnes. 

